Page 69 of Playing for Keeps

“I want you to obey me.”

“I don’t obey my dad, and he runs a biker club.”

“Will you obey Val?”

Scoffing, I frown at her. “Of course not. He’s not my boss.”

“Well, you’re not his boss, either,” she hisses at me.

“I know. That’s why I don’t expect him to obey me.”

“My husband obeys me,” Poppy insists.

I notice Justice and Journey shaking their heads behind their sister.

Poppy turns quickly and points at their faces. “The mirror revealed your betrayals!”

“You’re so aggressive. Maybe you need more estrogen,” Justice says and sits down in an empty chair. “Or less estrogen. I don’t know which one makes women more likable.”

Poppy grunts at her sister’s attitude. I rest my hand on her shoulder, winning a narrowed gaze in my direction.

“I think you have the exact right amount of estrogen,” I say, and her gaze goes soft. “I’m also glad you care so much about Val. My mom hasn’t been all that enthusiastic about the wedding. Duke says she doesn’t take it seriously because it’s been arranged. But I worry she doesn’t care as much now since she has a new life.”

Poppy gasps. “She sounds awful. I already hate her,” she announces and hugs me to her. “I’ll be the good grandma who babysits and bakes cookies.”

“I knew you would break in less than five minutes,” Journey says while playing with Oana’s hair. “We drove all the way over here just for a tiny tantrum.”

Poppy shrugs and explains to her sisters, “I planned to be much worse, but Lola really is a girl version of Val. You know how I love my boy.”

I smile at her welcoming words. Val promised his mom would warm up to me. He claimed she once hated Alexis. I found that hard to believe. After all, as soon as she finishes smiling at me, Poppy walks over to check on Alexis. Tuesday joins them. Three peas in a pod.

Clover watches them, likely wondering where we’ll fit in this big happy family. I run my fingers through her damp, recently cut hair. She smiles up at me. We grew up with a tight-knit family. Our parents were great. Grandma Erin was always around, helping out and keeping an eye on us. We had the club guys. Basin Rock felt like home.

Once Kerrie left, I realized how easily everything could fall apart. Suddenly, our big support system felt like only Duke, Erin, Clover, and me.Could we trust anyone else if the shit hit the fan?

I believe with all my heart that Val would ride with us to hell. He doesn’t love half-ass. And if Val was in danger, his people would band together to help him.

That’s the kind of family I’m marrying into. After my time at the salon, I stop feeling as if I’m losing something by moving to the homestead. Instead, I’ve doubled my family size.

VAL, AKA HE WHO CUMS FIRST

Lola and Ma bond at the salon. The whole group moves the party to the homestead. We have dinner out back just like normal. This time, I get to keep Lola close.

We finish the evening at the homestead with a water pistol battle. Betty goes after Tuesday, who rallies her troops, aka Alexis, Roxie, and Lola. Oana and Edith arm up on Betty’s side and drench my sister. I finally have to join the battle when Lola gets pinned behind a tree. That inspires the other guys to join forces.

I end up chasing Ike around while Otto tails me and West comes up behind our cousin. We reload our super soakers four times before becoming distracted by our wet women nearby.

After the sun sets, I drive Lola’s truck back to Basin Rock. We drop Clover off at home before heading to Lola’s apartment.

“I can’t wait for our new shower,” I tell Lola as we stand in her snug one. “I want to be able to fuck you in many various stretched-out positions.”

Lola smiles at me in a new way. She’s a woman who needs to know her place in the world. I suspect today erased many of her worries.

The next morning, Lola and I reject clothing and enjoy a few hours in the nude.

“We’ll need to cover up soon,” Lola insists as she dances around in the kitchen to Def Leppard while cleaning the counters.

I watch her from my spot on the couch. Moo jumps up behind me and scents the back of my head. I caress the purring cat and smile at Lola.

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